Tips for managing drought's mental impact

Much has been made of how to manage the crops, rangeland, livestock and other business aspects of a devastating multi-year drought. Less advice has been offered about how farmers and ranchers can manage the psychological impact.

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By Candace KrebsContributing Writer

LA Junta Tribune - La Junta, CO

By Candace KrebsContributing Writer

Posted Mar. 25, 2013 at 11:45 AM

By Candace KrebsContributing Writer

Posted Mar. 25, 2013 at 11:45 AM

JULESBURG, Colo. — Much has been made of how to manage the crops, rangeland, livestock and other business aspects of a devastating multi-year drought.

Less advice has been offered about how farmers and ranchers can manage the psychological impact.

"My main concern right now is the mental effect on farmers and ranchers and how to make people close to them aware of that," said Bruce Fickenscher, Colorado's southeast area range and livestock agent, as he spoke about the drought by phone recently. "It's hard to talk about because it's such a personal situation."

Bob Fetsch, a Colorado State University human development and family studies specialist and director of the Colorado AgrAbility Project, tackled the topic during the culmination of a six-week drought information series hosted by the Golden Plains Extension District.

Owning and operating a farm is among a dozen occupations associated with the highest rates of stress-related illnesses, Fetsch said.

Suicide rates, meanwhile, tend to be highest in Western states like Colorado and Wyoming, he added.

Suicide peaks during periods of difficult life transitions. For women, that is in their mid-40s when children leave home and menopause occurs, whereas suicide among men skyrockets when they reach their 70s and 80s, he said. "These are the guys most at risk," he said. "Pay attention to them and reach out, be a source of support."

One sign of distress is when someone speaks in a very flat tone of voice devoid of any energy. "Pay attention to that," he said.

A complete stress and depression checklist is available from the extension service and is posted along with the drought summit recordings at goldenplains.colostate.edu. Additional consumer and family resources are available at www.ext.colostate.edu/drought.

In addition to seeing a doctor who might prescribe antidepressants, it is also important to eat well and exercise during stressful times, Fetsch said. Take time to remember back to past challenges and review lessons learned in those situations, he said.

Previous studies have shown the highest levels of stress weren't correlated with income or debt levels, but rather with how farmers and ranchers perceived their situation.

"It was the meaning of the crisis in their heads that made the difference," Fetsch said.

Farmers need to focus on things they can control and try to reframe a crisis as positive rather than strictly negative. "That's really the key to managing stress," he said.

In addition, he recommended being a better listener and communicator with friends, neighbors and family members.

"Many families in trouble have a lot of resentments and blaming," he said. "Conflicts are going to emerge when there is high economic stress in a family."

Nancy Porter, a CSU financial resource management specialist, also emphasized the importance of open communication, especially when children are involved.

Page 2 of 2 - "If you can share in an age appropriate way, it can reduce stress on everyone in the household," she said.